We measure our progress in inches

Even though we have a couple songs "in the can" as they say for the next record, yesterday was what I am considering the beginning of recording for the next record. Mike is still gone for family time holiday business but our goal yesterday was to get basic tracks for 3 originals and 2 covers. We started the basics for "Embracing the Modern Age" with texts of "SNOW!" coming in. Indeed it was snowing. Nothing sticking yet but was it ever coming down. Moved onto basics for "Sitting on the Edge" and opened the door to see a good couple inches on the ground. I went to Trader Joe's before hand for snacks so if we get stuck it's cool. We moved onto "Majoring in the Arts' but couldn't get the feel. We decided to take a break and go next door to the bar for a drink to "unwind." The last thing I remember is a Jamesons with a beer back set in front of me.

Scorpio Californio Tour 2009

For the record, the night before one leaves on tour is generally a pretty bad time to start a knife fight. The losing end of a battle royale with various vegetables ended in an all nighter at the ER trying desperately to sew my fingers back together. At 6am, I emailed the band about the night's mishaps and mentally crossed my fingers (since I couldn't, at this point, do it literally) that painkillers and ice will get me through our imminent shows in Northern California.

Apparently, across town, Kelly, our sore-throated, ache-ridden bass player, was leaving similar messages about his life and death struggle with Swine Flu.

But the healing power of rock n roll knows no bounds. Or maybe it was simply the cheese burger cake.

By the time we made Chief Crazy Horse Saloon in Nevada City, Kelly was coming in a full two degrees below normal (that boy has ice in his veins . . . let me warn you now, you should never cross him) and I was winning arm wrestling matches left handed . . . and handily at that . . . pun intended.

The night of music was amazing. First us, then SF's The Aerosols, and finally the indomitable Bart Davenport (with former Cocaine Unicorn drummer in tow, all hail PDX). Pop/Soul perfection.

Spent the night at Dana Deathray's Station to Station studio in Grass Valley with DC Hardcores and Rickenbacker dreams.

Next day was SF and the Hotel Utah. It's was the release show for "Cryin' Shame," the new EP on Rainbow Quartz from our good friends, The Parties. Rex and Rob, The Parties' rhythm section, came with both guns blazing, opening the night with their other pop outfit, Sugarspun. Great crowd, great music, great night.

We were all in agreement on the gorgeous sun-soaked ride home . . . best Cali tour ever.

Instant Gratification

Somewhere along the line in the last 40 years, you needed "lead time" before releasing a record. Now, we post a link to an mp3 and you can download a mix within moments of completion....This one has been in rotation on OPB, KNRK and here it is on Willamette Week's blog.

Blue Skies Pop Tarts and Playboys Summer Tour 2009 - Day 4, Long Beach

Today we drank half yards. Long cylindricals that would befit Alice's caterpillar. We start our day right. Parties joined us later . . . always suckling the hind teat, I guess. Nervously they glanced at our hopped up towers, over wee pints . . . or in Powers' case, a bloody goblet. Some bands are just small beers, I guess.

The club was a tad sketch, with dark dealings in darker corners. But music fans all, I think . . . drinks getting stiffer after we hit the stage. We then partied with The Parties . . . that shit was fun. New Fidelities can play . . . AND dance. Next morning we sipped carrot juice in hand-wrapped pig skin chairs.

Blue Skies Pop Tarts and Playboys Summer Tour 2009 - Day 3, Los Angeles

fitted for suits by thickasthieves. one button, two button, three button, one. brisk napping. jackson's enwreathed star. factory front room. pummeling international pop. he actually broke that rickenbacker clean in two. waking hours. speechless.

Blue Skies - Pop Tarts and Playboys Summer Tour 09 - Day 2

fresno is the hottest and dryest. but audie's was all plush purple shag and a/c and forgotten nuggets. virtual chimes are the new secret handshake. late night curbside taqueria was so satisfying. tailgated at la quinta with parties and bye bye blackbird. found the secret stash of skittles.

Blue Skies West Coast Summer Tour 2009, Day 1-1/2: The Aroma of Wisdom . . . at 108 degrees.

Fled the hottest of Bridgetown days at 70 mph. Easily the nakedest van ride ever undertaken by the Blue Skies crew.










Fell asleep dreaming of Squidbillies but getting the Venture Bros. On our left, the Pacific Coast Trail support team with their magic marker van just outside. On our right, a traveling, vagabond nurse.

The temperature drops every southern mile we take. Interspersed is our NorCal Impromptu Rest Stop Concert series. Sacramento means a beeline to Old Town with candy shops and bubblegum singles.

Funny how the weeklies always talk about how we’re NOT emo. Yes, we’ve heard that, too. They steal the mostest beardiest shot. Cool.

Tonight is the Blue Lamp in Sacramento, and the arrival of The Parties.

By the way, we all like us a kookaburra, too . . . but stop fucking with Men At Work you heartless pricks.

Let's Drink to Old Friends

The Exploding Hearts...What can I say....it's now been six years and the pain is a little less sharp, but it's certainly no easier. I thought I would be able to push it back, but every year, the same thing happens; I try to forget only to be overcome by the sadness. Later today, the sadness will give away to a feeling of resolve....I must push forward. I must keep on the path. I will head into the studio and keep working. I will keep making the music that I think the world should hear. I will keep making music that I need to hear and I believe the world needs possibly even more than I do. If the accident brought one positive change to my life, it is the desire to never waste a moment while I'm here. Producing and engineering Guitar Romantic as well as the singles and the sessions that became the outtake record, Shattered....they have been highlights in my life. Jeremy, Matt and Adam; I miss you. Terry and Louie, I'm so proud that you guys have kept the train on the tracks and rolling through the darkness. You both continue to make beautiful rock and roll.

I wrote a song yesterday for my old friends. I imagine it might make a great last song on Blue Skies' next record.

So come on down
It's been far too long
Let's get together
Let's put that old record on
Let's drink to old friends
Let's drink to old friends
I'll always miss you

more breaking glass...

Well, as you can clearly see, or perhaps not so clearly, the band spent a portion of last evening drinking beer out of glass bottles, so we could then shatter them in our makeshift "foley" pit. It went great and we had a blast doing it! Sometimes, recording can be a bit slow, or redundant, but breaking glass and recording it for posterity sure breathes new life into the routine.

Breaking Glass

The East Side of the West

We had a fantastic trip out to Boise and La Grande this last weekend. Big thank yous to April and Travis. April, those photos are going to be amazing....I loved your shots of Deer Tick too. Best trip ever to Walmart! You think everyone was staring at us? Glad you had the Bean Dip experience as well. Tyler, we're looking forward to working with you on the next video. The VAC is one classy juke joint. Boise, we'll be back soon....promise!

Great seeing the La Grande folks as well. You're definitely our second home east of the mountains. Sean of Highway 30 Eats put on a great festiva to benefit the music department for the local school district. Congrats on a successful first year of the Mr. Rogers Music Festival. I hope this is just the beginning of a long stretch. And props to Ma and Pa Sanford. Not only did they put up with a bunch of crazies, that BBQ and then breakfast the next morning is something that should be written up in a magazine like Better Holmes and Gardens (sic).

And to our labelmates, Future Historians: When are we gonna do this again? We love you guys.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Ah, those Brits....they crack me up.

http://bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00kwc64

Hit the link above, go 11 minutes in and start listening......and trust me, keep listening....Lovvers sound like nothing else.....especially in this set.

This is the first radio play of Lovver's first single off their new record. The song is Go Go Girls; The record is OCD Go Go Go Girls. The station is BBC Radio 1

That's me playing the timpani at the beginning of the song. Shaun was manning the record button for that part. I'm so proud of these guys and the record we made.

Godsrlz

Things I learned on a recent trip to Seattle.

Living by Godsrlz means breaking all of man's laws.

Listening to Low Fi on Hi Fi

"You learn greatness from greatness.

Nobody is born a great performer. Nobody is born a great songwriter. "
-Little Steven Van Zandt



Simply put, the best thing I've seen written on what's wrong with the music business these days.

Army Navy Gear Stolen - Time to Call in the Air Force Marines

Our friend Army Navy came through Portland on tour and played Lola's Room this last Thursday. We were fortunate enough to get to open for them. They are amazing talented and a killer band.

Just last night, in Seattle, they had their gear pilfered by miscreants bent on the destruction of the very fabric of our society. Or they were just methheads looking to score. Either way, there are some villainous thieves out there in need of being brought to justice, along with a swift kick to the head.

Below is a description of the gear that was taken. As well as a picture of what they should have in their hot little hands were it not for a pack of asshats. - Michael

Please repost this list on My Space, facebook, wherever and if you see someone trying to sell this stuff..... you know what to do.

It was stolen near seattle. jerkholes.
here's what we lost.. eek:

Army Navy Stolen Gear 5/17/09

Guitars

1. 1977 Fender Telecaster Cherry Burst with Fralin Pickups. Missing volume and tone nobs. Partial Serial # S_____8
(In a Black Original Fender Rectangular Hard Shell Case-broken in places w/ styrofoam showing. The original pickups are in the case as are the missing knobs for the guitar. There is a plain black guitar strap.)

2. Epiphone Tabacco Burst Dot with Cream Colored P94-T Pickup on Neck.
(In black Epiphone Hard Shell Case)

3. Epiphone 1970's Crestwood Guitar. Natural Light Wood Finish.
[In black Hard Shell Case with stickers on the front (Teenage Fanclub, etc). The case has a brown leather guitar strap in it.]

4. Black 1977 Jazz Bass with White Pick Guard, Fralin pickups.
(Canvas Blue Soft Case w/ brown trim.)

Keyboard

5.Roland Juno-G Keyboard (near perfect condition, small scratch on control panel)


Bass Head (amplifier)

6.Ampeg SVT Classic Reissue Bass Head (TREBLE control knob missing)

Drums

7. Yamaha Nouveau Brass Snare Drum, 7 x 14 ( w/ 42 strand snare strainer on bottom, top head has set lists written in black, orange and green marker, text reads "SAINTS, DARK, JANICE, SLIGHT, GET, THIN, SNAKES, etc,;transported in black SKB hard case)

8. Zildjian 21" Armand Ride Cymbal

9. Zildjian 18" Armand Crash Cymbal

10. Zildjian 16" Armand Crash Cymbal (small crack on outer edge)

11. Zildjian 14" Armand Hi Hat Cymbals (all cymbals stored in black canvas Sabian cymbal bag, "PROPERTY OF ARMY NAVY" written on outside)

12. Pearl Eliminator Bass Kick Drum Pedal (velcro on bottom, felt beater worn unevenly, "PROPERTY OF ARMY NAVY written on bottom)

Pedals

All pedals in a wooden Yellow Hand Made Pedal Case with The words "Justin" in red pen on the outside. All pedals have velcro strips on the bottom though these could be removed pretty easily.

13. BossTU-2 Tuner (white)

14. Fulltone OCD Pedal (white)

15. Fulltone Fulldrive-2 in (Blue) (Missing Distortion Nob)

16. Boss RV-3 Digital reverb/ Delay - (gray)

Quote of the day

Mike Chapman producer and songwriter.

"There's loads of hits, it's a great album, but who gives a fuck. It's easy, you see. When we go into the studio, we go in and make hit records, and it just happens. We don't think about it. If you're going to be in the music business, you gotta make hit records. If you can't make hit records, you should fuck off and go chop meat somewhere"

At my day job, I work with nutters like these guys.

Stonehenge

Peter Dean of Fast Computers and I went to scout for future photo and video locations.  It turned into a day of a lot of druid jokes and druid wine tasting.

Arya Imig's These Are The Days

These Are The Days Podcast

From Willamette Week:

After an extended hiatus, it’s great to be back with These Are The Days. Here we are in Spring, a time of renewal and change and our Portland music scene is in full bloom too. On this podcast you can hear brand new music from old favorites Cower and Starfucker, and a special live recording from Patterns, all bands who have changed lineups over time. You’ll also hear exciting tracks from up and comers the Shivas and Midnight Callers, two young bands produced by Pat Kearns of Blue Skies For Black Hearts. Kearns has been responsible for producing some of Portland’s most enjoyable albums over the last few years. On this edition of These Are The Days, listen in as we chat with Kearns about his experiences as a producer, and other memories, as well as what he’s looking forward to in the future. It’s the Spring season, and we’re in the springtime of our lives. These really are the days.

Adrian: Why do you wanna fight? Rocky: Because I can't sing or dance.

Susan and I went to visit her family in Philadelphia in February. Of course, I had to see the art museum.